Elyria, OH Artillery Accident, June 1844

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.

It becomes our painful duty to announce that a must lamentable accident occurred in our village on Monday evening of this week. While the Artillery company were firing a salute on the occasion of the Baltimore nominations, as they were loading the piece for the third discharge it went off prematurely, and with most disastrous consequences.
The casualties were as follows:
PETER SHERMAN had his right arm blown off, and the thumb of his left, besides other serious injury to his left hand.
JOEL CHUBB had his left hand shattered and the bone broke above the wrist.
NELSON LATHROP had his thumb blown off.
MR. SHERMAN'S arm was amputated in the course of the night by Dr. Townshend.
We ought to state, that, as far as can be ascertained, no blame can be attached to any concerned. The gun was under the able management of Capt. SEEKINS and his Artillery company, who generously volunteered their services for the occasion. Accidents will sometimes happed with the best of precautions, and we are all liable to them in all the thousand chances by "flood and field." Let us then sympathise with the sufferers in this case and do our utmost to relieve them. Worse accidents may befall us tomorrow.
A meeting of the citizens will be held at the Court House this evening to adopt measures for the relief of the sufferers. Let all true hearted be present.

Lorain Republican Elyria Ohio 1844-06-05
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!